sm.mcnair

I'm looking to swap my 3.55 ratio D30/D35 axles up to a 4.10, D30/8.25 salvage pair. I have a 2001, 6 cyl, AW4, NP231, and I'm wondering...what specs do I need to make sure of on the swap? ABS, vacuum...etc? And what doesn't matter?

xjmarc

To swap the D35 to an 8.25 you'll loose your ABS because the 8.25 wasn't available with it. Also get the drive shaft from the doner vehicle because the one for the 8.25 is shorter. Skip the CAD front axles, If it's an older model with the smaller u-joints your shafts will slip in without any modification. Try and find an 8.25 from a 97 and up model with the 29 spline shafts, 96 and earlier have 27 spline which neck down and are smaller than your D35. Good luck in your search your doner vehicle will be a 4 cylinder 5 speed.

JamDeeper

what would you say would bolt up the smoothest? from ford to dodge or chevy?? or is the "bolt up process" not even available? if im going to start looking for axles, what should i look for?

NewJerseyXJ609

Nothing really just bolts in unless it's from another cherokee. But it's not hard to make an axle work. You need access to a welder tho to make the perches correct to go In an xj for most any axle swap.

sm.mcnair

I've actually already found a '94 donor for the rear, already pulled and waiting to be picked up; I never had ABS to begin with, so no problem there. Front axles a different story..having a rough time tracking one down. I'll be doing a SYE with a used front drive shaft to replace my rear DS, so I don't think length will be and issue. If anyone hears about a reasonable front D30, no vacuum no ABS, in the MA area or shipped cheap...lemme know.

Lowrange2

So, why don't you just regear your front axle? Or are you wanting high pinion?

xjmarc

If you're swapping out a D35 you do have ABS. The 94 rear will have the weaker 27 spline shafts so unless you plan on swapping them as well as the carrier, I'd keep looking.

sm.mcnair

It's cheaper to find one than to have it done (quoted $450 an axle plus parts by a local drive shop), and i'm not confident in my ability to do it myself. especially since this is my DD.

sm.mcnair

I promise you, I dont have ABS. I have the spec sheet from when the car was on the lot in 2001, as well as specs I checked with a Jeep dealership to make sure I knew exactly what I had. IF I had ABS, then it would definitely be a D35 rear end. W/O ABS, it could be either the D35 or the Chrysler 8.25". Mine just happened to be the D35.

Also, the shafts are coming with it. I know they're not as strong as the 29 spline, but I dont do a lot of heavy wheeling. I'm not overly concerned for now.

MWildmann

A D35 rear does not guarantee having ABS. ABS, however, does guarantee having a D35.

If you found a 27-spline 8.25 for a good price jump on it. Take the carrier, bearings, spider and side gears and shafts from the 29 spline and install them in the 27 spline housing. All that needs done is setting up the backlash. I'm about to tackle that exact swap myself and for the same reason as you.

sm.mcnair

Along the same lines, i plan on doing a SYE with my lift...and i've just come across the info on the shock mount bolts rotating. If i'm going with a 3.5" lift and the SYE, will the shim degree angle rotate the axle such that the shock mount locations will be a problem?

MWildmann

Nope.